Who we are

 In 1965, amid the civil rights movement and the War on Poverty, the Migrant Project of the North Carolina Council of Churches received federal funding to address the unmet needs of migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Early services included sanitation education, childcare, housing support, rest stop development, and summer school programs — meeting families where they were, at a moment when few others would. 

By 1972, the initiative formally incorporated as the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Association (MSFA), governed in large part by farmworkers themselves — an early example of community-centered leadership and systems-level advocacy. 

As services expanded across the East Coast and into the Midwest, Telamon deepened its role in employment and early childhood programs. Migrant Head Start services launched in multiple states, including Georgia, Delaware, and North Carolina. 

In 1984, the organization adopted the name Telamon, symbolizing a “column of support” — a reflection of its growing role as a stabilizing force for families facing economic uncertainty. In Indiana, the organization incorporated as Transition Resources Corporation (TRC) to establish a distinct identity while carrying forward the same mission. 

Throughout the 1990s, Telamon | TRC expanded Migrant and traditional Head Start services, serving thousands of children across multiple states. By 1996, more than 2,200 children were enrolled in Telamon-operated Head Start programs in five states, demonstrating a strong commitment to early learning as a foundation for long-term success. 

Geographic growth continued, with Tennessee becoming the tenth state served, and Michigan emerging as a key hub for both child and adult farmworker services. 

Entering the new millennium, Telamon | TRC broadened its focus to include workforce development for youth and adults. Through Workforce Investment Act initiatives and National Farmworker Jobs Program grants, the organization supported farmworker youth ages 14–21 and adults seeking education, training, and career advancement. 

In 2009, Telamon | TRC achieved Multi- State Organization certification from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, enabling the expansion of housing counseling and foreclosure prevention services across nine states, addressing housing instability at both the family and systems level. 

The 2010s marked a period of significant growth and innovation. Telamon | TRC expanded Early Head Start through home-based services, family literacy initiatives, and Early Learning Mentor Projects. In 2015, Telamon and TRC were awarded four Early Head Start — Child Care Partnership grants, expanding access to high-quality care for more than 322 infants and toddlers across four states. 

This decade also underscored the power of community support. In 2011 alone, volunteers and donors contributed the equivalent of $7 million in time, facilities, and services, an extraordinary demonstration of shared commitment. 

Today, Telamon | TRC serves families across 10 states, offering integrated services that address education, career pathways, housing stability, financial confidence, and early childhood care. With deep expertise and trusted partnerships, we continue to adapt — responding to emerging challenges while remaining rooted in the belief that every family deserves opportunity. 

As we celebrate 60 years of impact, we look ahead with purpose — committed to empowering communities in new ways and strengthening systems that support families for generations to come.